Connection device and system

ABSTRACT

A connection device and system is disclosed that is made up of a flexible grid and durable connectors for removable insertion into spaces of the grid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/070,597, entitled “Connection Device and System,” filed Aug. 26, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to connectors, and more specifically to a connection device and system that provide a simple and effective option for use with playsets and other applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adding functionality to playsets is desirable. Playsets are also subject to extreme wear and tear, particularly in connection with parts that are intended for repeated placement and removal, and must be made of durable materials that do not break easily. This constraint limits the features of functionalities added to playsets, including those that include removable features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connection device and system are disclosed that provide additional functionality for playsets that is not currently available, with durable connectable components that can be readily affixed and detached. The connection device and system include a flexible grid and durable connectors that can be removably inserted into spaces of the grid.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings may be to scale, but emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a diagram of a connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a diagram of a connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of an alternate connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a diagram of an alternate connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C is a diagram of an alternate connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an alternate connection device and system, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a playset, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures may be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a connection device and system 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Connection device and system 100 include a connector 150, made up of a base component 110 coupled to a plug 120, that is configured to be inserted through a flexible grid 130, such as a grid made from a polymer, rubber, elastomeric or other suitable flexible material. The base component 110 can have a square shape, or other suitable shapes. The plug 120 can also or alternatively have a triangle shape, a pentagon shape, a hexagon shape or other suitable shapes, and the base component 110 can also or alternatively have a design such as a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon or other suitable designs molded into base component 110, printed thereon or affixed through use of a sticker or label. The connector 150 can be formed from a polymer, rubber, elastomeric or other suitable solid or flexible material. FIG. 1B is a diagram of a connection device and system 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure, showing plug 120 inserted through a grid space 135 in flexible grid 130. The grid 130 is thick enough to accommodate the connectors 150 in adjacent spaces, so as to allow a different connector 150 to be inserted in each grid location, where desired. FIG. 1C is a diagram of a connection device and system 100, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure, showing plug 120 of a connector 150 inserted through grid space 135 in flexible grid 130 adjacent to base component 110 of a different connector 150. The grid 130 is shown with a four-sided square configuration where each grid space 135 is a square shape. Alternatively, other suitable grid configurations can also or alternatively be used, such as a grid having grid spaces with three, five, six or other suitable numbers of sides. The number of grid spaces 135 in grid 130 can vary but is preferably at least 4.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of an alternate embodiment of a connector 250, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Connector 250 includes a base component 210 with a plug 220 that is cross-shaped. FIG. 2B is a diagram of an alternate embodiment of connection device and system 200 that includes connector 250 configured to be inserted through a grid space 235 in flexible grid 230, such as a grid made from a polymer, rubber, elastomeric or other suitable flexible material. The connector 250 can be formed from a polymer, rubber, elastomeric or other suitable solid or flexible material. In this embodiment, the plug 220 can rotate on the base component 210. FIG. 2C is a diagram of an alternate embodiment of connector device and system 200 that includes connector 250 configured to be inserted through a grid space (not labeled) in flexible grid 230, where base component 210 is a square shape and is also shown with design 240, in this example a “X” design, affixed thereto. The plug 220 can also or alternatively have a triangle shape, a pentagon shape, a hexagon shape or other suitable shapes, and the base component 210 can also or alternatively have a design such as a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon or other suitable designs 240 molded into base component 110, printed thereon or affixed through use of a sticker or label. The grid 230 is thick enough to accommodate the connectors 250 in adjacent grid spaces 235, if desired, so as to allow a different connector device 250 to be inserted in each grid location, where desired. The grid 230 is shown with a four-sided square configuration such that each grid space 235 has a square shape. Alternatively, other suitable configurations can also or alternatively be used, such as a grid with three, five, six or other suitable numbers of sides. The number of grid spaces 235 in grid 230 can vary but is preferably at least 4. In additional embodiments of connector 250, base component 210 can have a suitable shape other than a square shape.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a connection device and system 300, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Connection device and system 300 includes grid 330 having a plurality of grid spaces 335 and a plurality of connectors 350. Connectors 350, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, include a base component 310 and a plug 320 which can be inserted into grid spaces 335 in grid 330. Base components 310 of the connectors 350 each have a design 340 molded into them. In this embodiment, design 340 may be a “X” or “O” design. In this embodiment, connector device and system 300 also include optional bins 360 for storing connectors 350. In this embodiment, connection device and system 300 are configured as a window within a wall 370, which may be part of a larger structure that allows users to configure connectors 350 in the grid 330 for ornamental purposes, to play a game, to form a message or for other suitable purposes.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a playset 400, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Playset 400 includes connection device and system 405, which includes a grid 430 with grid spaces 435 and connectors 450, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Connection device and system 405 is disposed on a surface 470, in this example a wall of the playset 400 where the playset 400 is a playhouse, that allows users to configure connectors 450 in the grid 430 for ornamental purposes, to play a game, to form a message or for other suitable purposes. One or more detachable bins 460 are provided that can be used to hold connectors 450 that are to be inserted into the grid 430. The connection device and system 405 can be detachable to allow it to be relocated to a different wall of playset 400 or a different playset. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the grid spaces 435 are arranged in a 8×10 configuration in grid 430, with a total of eighty (80) grid spaces 435.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A connection device and system comprising: a flexible grid, wherein the flexible grid comprises a plurality of grid spaces; and a connector, wherein the connector comprises a base component and a plug, and wherein the plug is configured to be removably inserted into a grid space to fasten the connector to the flexible grid.
 2. The connection device and system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of connectors, wherein the connectors are configured to be removably inserted into adjacent grid spaces.
 3. The connection device and system of claim 1, wherein the base component has a square shape.
 4. The connection device and system of claim 1, wherein the base component of the connector comprises a design molded into or printed on the base component.
 5. The connection device and system of claim 1, further comprising a sticker or label affixed to the base component of the connector, wherein the sticker or label is printed with a design.
 6. The connection device and system of claim 1, wherein the plug has a circular or cross shape.
 7. The connection device and system of claim 1, further comprising a bin for storing connectors that are not fastened to the grid.
 8. The connection device and system of claim 1, wherein the flexible grid comprises at least four grid spaces.
 9. A playset comprising: a surface; and a connection device and system disposed on the surface, wherein the connection device and system comprises a flexible grid, wherein the flexible grid comprises a plurality of grid spaces, and a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector comprises a base component and a plug, and wherein the plug is configured to be removably inserted into a grid space to fasten the connector to the flexible grid.
 10. The playset of claim 9, wherein the base component has a square shape.
 11. The playset of claim 9, wherein the base component comprises a design molded into or printed on the base component.
 12. The playset of claim 9, wherein the base component further comprises a sticker or label affixed thereto, and wherein the sticker or label is printed with a design.
 13. The playset of claim 9, wherein the plug has a circular or cross shape.
 14. The playset of claim 9, wherein the connection device and system further comprises a bin for storing connectors that are not fastened to the grid.
 15. The playset of claim 9, wherein the flexible grid comprises at least four grid spaces.
 16. The playset of claim 9, wherein the playset is a playhouse and the surface is a wall of the playhouse.
 17. The playset of claim 9, wherein the connection device and system are removable from the surface. 